With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements : 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units. 2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Statement 1 is wrong: India has almost no silicon-wafer manufacturing; wafer and cell production is dominated by China, Taiwan and Malaysia, and India imports most cells and wafers (the PLI scheme now aims to build capacity).
• Statement 2 is wrong: solar tariffs are discovered through competitive reverse auctions conducted by SECI/States and adopted by regulators (CERC/SERCs); SECI conducts auctions but does not fix tariffs.
• Hence neither 1 nor 2, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: India is a marginal wafer producer.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: tariffs come from auctions and regulators.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Both statements are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.